Apple's Lightning Authentication Chip Successfully Cloned

A couple of weeks ago, we told you about how Apple planted authentication chips inside their new Lightning cables to prevent third-party manufacturers from making Lightning cables of their own. However, it was only a matter of time before we would see the chip get cloned, and it looks like today is the day.

Chinese hackers announced today that they've been able to successfully clone Apple's Lightning authentication chip, which now paves the way for third-party Lightning cables and accessories that will be much cheaper. The first of which is now out on the market. For $39, you can get a Lightning dock and a Lightning cable that also lights up as you charge your iPhone 5.

It's not as cheap as you would normally see from a third-party manufacturer, but we're guessing the high price has something to do with exclusivity. However, that won't be for long as we'll see more and more manufacturers take advantage of the cloned authentication chip. This specific cable/dock combo can both charge and sync the iPhone 5, and it should still work even after iOS 6 updates roll out.

Apple will no doubt attempt to stop manufacturers from making the cables and accessories in order to get an MFi licensing fee from the Chinese suppliers, but we'll see what really happens when they cross that bridge eventually. In the meantime, it might be a good idea to snatch up these accessories while you still can, but hopefully we'll see more in the near future.

[via M.I.C. Gadget]